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Friday, 6 November 2015

Mobile Phone Suction Cup Holders

What's the best way to deal with a suction cup holder that attaches to your windscreen? Throw it in the bin before it falls of while driving, and hits you straight in the face.

With the introduction of mobile phones has come the convenience of using this device all over. While driving however this is unsafe and has steep penalties attached for driving while using the device without "hands free".

Purchased what was seemingly a reputable brand suction holder and attached to the windscreen. Stays for while and then it falls off. It is almost impossible to find a supplier of suction devices to stipulate exactly how long these products are supposed to stay attached. And so it becomes a trial and error exercise. These are products that should be tested and warranted. Under the law they are but suppliers can also say, just reattach the device. So reattachment is a gamble as well. Sometimes it sticks for a while.. Sometimes it sticks for longer giving you that feeling that yes maybe I did make a decent purchase. And all those hopes are dashed. That sunken feeling returns as in the morning its just resting there on the dash, having parted company with the windscreen sometime during the night.

I should be grateful it did not decide to unstick itself while I'm just driving. Distract me from what I'm doing, and run into the driver in front me. It should be no surprise really that these suction devices only last temporarily. The idea is that a vacuum is maintained within the cup area . This relies heavily on sealing. Hot sun, cold weather work against the sealing effect until the vacuum is depleted and then, well, no more suction.

So what to do with this product? How can I make it stick to the windscreen?
I tried glue. And it works. Resistant to heat ,cold and UV. My mobile phone clamp is likely to be there when the whole car finally retires.

On the upside the device clamps the mobile phone really well, and opens up for different sizes. A nifty ratchet clamping mechanism holds on tight.

So, do I recommend these clamps ? I recommend one that doesn't fall off the windscreen. Good luck finding one that lasts a year under weather extremes and different conditions.